Machine and method for assembling spiral spring structures



J. A. SAVAL Sept. 23, 1943.

MACHINE AND HETHOD FOR ASSEMBLING SPIRAL SPRING STRUCTURES 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 3, 1941 gwvm - Sept. 28, 1943. J. A. SAVAL MACHINE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLI ENG SPIRAL SPRING STRUCTURES Filed Dec. 3, 1941 s Sheets-SheetZ Sept. 28, 1943; J. A. SAVAL 2,330,244 v MACHINE IETHOD FOR ASSEMBLING SPIRAL SPRING STRUCTURES Filed Dec. 3; 1941 BSheets-Sheet 4 (70156}5544 fla a.

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MACHINE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING SPIRAL SPRING STRUCTURES Filed Dec. 3, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 5 J. A. SAVAL Sept. 28, 1943,

momma: AND un'ruqn ronAssmmLma srnw. SPRING STRUCTURES Filed Dec. 3; 1941 8 Shoots-Sheet 6 It-Iii Entiti 7. .5 9/ zynwzii' u rIIIIIIIlI/I /lllllllllllllI/A 11111111111111 111A Qii Sept. 2, 1943. J. A. SAVAL. 9 3

MACHINE AND METHOD FORASSEMBLING SPIRAL SPRING STRUCTURES Filed Dec. 3, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 p 8, 1943 J. A. sAvAL- 2,330,244

' mcamn AND ammo ron ASSEMBLING sum. srame s'mUcTuREs Filed Dec. 3, 1941 a sheets Sheet a Patented Sept. 28, 1943 MACHINE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING SPIRAL SPRING STRUCTURES Joseph 'A. Saval, Jamaica, N. Y., assignor to Joseph Aronauer, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December-'3, 1941, Serial No. 421,514

45 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine and method for the assembly of spiral spring structures. More particularly the present invention relates to a mechanism capable of automatically assembling a plurality of spiral springs by wrapping tie wires thereabout, and to a method of wrapping these wires about adjacent portions of spiral springs in order to form an assembled spring structure for use in spring cushions and the like.

Although machines have been proposed for the assembly and fabrication of spiral spring structures in an automatic manner, many of these machines have not functioned properly because the springs are not securely tied together. Further, the machines of the prior art did not accurately position the portions of the spiral springs prior to tying. Much difficulty has also been experienced by the tie wires, which were fed for wrapping purposes, breaking under the stress of the wrapping operation.

In addition to the aforementioned difiiculties, machines of the prior art were not sufiiciently flexible, i. e., they did not adapt themselves to the production of long or short spring assemblies composed of any number of rows of spiral springs. of more than usual length was desired, it was necessary to completely rebuild the machine.

Previous machines capable of wrapping tie wires about adjacent portions of spiral springs fed the tie wires in the same direction as the spring movement. This resulted in the joining of adjacent springs, rather than adjacent rows of springs, and consequently definitely limited the length of the finished assembly, which was necessarily that of the width of the machine. A machine of this type also was not capable of being expanded for more rapid operation.

It is one of the objects of the present invention, therefore, to provide a machine for the wrapping of tie wires about adjacent portions of spiral spring structures which is capable of flexible operation to produce spring structures of varying lengths.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the character described wherein the springs are securely held in position prior to the wrapping of the tie Wires thereabout.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a machine of the character described wherein a single unitary means is used to definitely position the tie wires and the adjacent portions of the spiral springs about which the tie wires are to be wrapped.

In many instances, if a spring assembly Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a machine of the character described which is capable of multiple operation to join not only successive rows of spiral springs, but also a plurality of springs in each row simultaneously or in a definitelytimed phase relationship.

A fifth object of the present invention is a machine for the joining of spiral spring assemblies which is of a relatively simple and efficient construction, wherein the spiral springs are moved longitudinally of the conveyor in intermittent fashion, and the tie wires are fed transversely of the conveyor while the same is in stopped position. r

A. sixth object of the present invention is the provision of a machine of the type described, wherein adjacent portions of springs are wrapped together in a definitely timed phase relationship in order to permit a plurality of ties to be made at a single conveyor position. I

A seventh object of the present invention is the provision of a machine capable of tying together a plurality of transversely aligned rows of spiral springs to form a spring assembly of any desired length.

An eighth object of the present invention is the provision of a spring assembling machine including mechanism to move a plurality of rows of spiral springs intermittently, and including means to position the springs in definite relationship to a feeding mechanism for feeding tie wires to be wrapped about the end coils of the spiral springs.

A ninth object of the present invention is the provision of a single unitary mechanism for forming a loop which is subsequently wrapped about adjacent portions of spiral springs.

A tenth object of the present invention is the provision of a wrapping gear for wrapping tie wires about adjacent portions of spiral springs and an associated loop forming mechanism for forming a loop in situ for wrapping about the end coils of spiral springs.

An eleventh object of the present invention is the provision of a wrapping mechanism for assembling spiral spring structures, including means for firmly holding the wrapping wire, which nevertheless permits passage of wire for loop forming.

A twelfth object of the present invention includes a novel method for the tying and wrapping of a plurality of spiral springs in a successive manner.

A thirteenth object of the present invention includes the provision of a method for the assembly of spiral spring structures which consists in the positioning-of the spiral springs and the feeding of tie wires between said springs, and the subsequent wrapping of the tie wires about adjacent portions of the spiral springs.

A fourteenth object of the present invention includes the positioning of spiral springs on a conveyor structure, the stepwise movement of the spiral springs in a position opposite a tie wire feeding mechanism, the feeding of a tie wire for a plurality of springs, the definitely phased timed formation of a plurality of loops between successive springs in adjacent rows, and the timed wrapping of the loops so formed about the springs to join the same.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and figures of the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of a spring assembling machine according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the machine taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of a portion of the machine taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail partially in section of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the wrapping gear and loop former taken at 90 relative to Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a detail showing the wrapping gear and wire holding jaws in open position;

Fig. 10 is a detail similar to Fig. 9, but showing the jaws in closed position;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a series of wire wrapping gears illustrating the timed phase spacing thereof;

Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 are detail views of the wire feeding mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a vertical longitudinal section of a portion of the machine showing the drive for the conveyor;

Fig. 15 is a detail illustrating the eye forming portion of the mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a detail section illustrating the wire cutting mechanism taken on line Iii-l6 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 17 is a section taken on the line l|-l1 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a detail plan view of a portion of the eye forming mechanism;

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic perspective illustrating the loop forming;

Fig. 20 is a detail of a portion of the finished Fig. 26 is a detail of one of the upper tie wire guides;

Fig. 27 is a partially diagrammatic detail illustrating the modified drive for one of the wrapping gears.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Fig. 1 thereof, a portion of the supporting frame for the cushioning machine of the present invention is indicated in general at I U.

The frame ll) of the machine serves to support a main drive shaft ll carried on the frame as by the journals i2 and 13. The main drive shaft II has firmly fixed thereon to turn therewith, a driving pinion M which is adapted to drive the wire wrapping mechanism and other parts here inafter described in detail. Also fixed to turn with the drive shaft II is a gear wheel l5, which is adapted to drive a wire feeding mechanism as hereinafter set forth.

The pinion M in turn drives a gear 16, fixed on the shaft H, the shaft I! being supported as, for example, by the'journal I8 also carried by the frame 10. Mounted to rotate with the shaft i1 is a pair of bevel gears l9 and 20, and a gear 2|. Also fixed on shaft I I to rotate therewith is a cam 22, which is adapted to' operate the lifting and lowering mechanism for the upper and lower wrapping members to be hereinafter described.

The bevel gear l9 meshes with a bevel gear 23 fixed on a shaft 24, rotatably carried by the journals 25 and 26 also supported by the frame H]. The Shaft 24 is adapted to rotate a bevel gear 21 fixed thereon and adapted to rotate therewith. The bevel gear 21 meshes with and drives the bevel gear 28, fixed on the shaft 29, rotatably supported in the journals 3D and 3| also carried by the frame member. The shaft 29 at the end remote from the bevel gear 21 fixedly carries a cam 32 which is adapted to be rotated by the shaft 28, the cam 32 being adapted to also operate the other end of the Wrapping gear lifting and lower-' ing mechanism; i. e., the cam 32 has a similar movement relative thereto below and between the shafts I! and 29, as shown in Fig. l, is a conveyor indicated in general by the reference numeral 33. This conveyor preferably consists of a number of linked plates and is provided with an intermittent driving mechanism to be subsequently described in detail.

As shown in Fig. 1, this conveyor mechanism functions as supporting and positioning means for a number of spiral springs arranged in aligned rows transversely of the machine and of the conveyor movement. These spiral springs are indicated by the reference letter S. As shown in Fig. 1, two rows of springs are positioned to receive guide wires between the adjacent portions of their ends coils, and the wrapping gear assemblies are positioned about the adjacent portions of the spiral springs. The tie wire has also been fed between the springs, and the clamping jaws for holding the tie wire have not yet clamped on the tie wire.

It will be understood that the conveyor is provided with suitable means for positioning both the top and bottom of the spiral springs, such means being hereinafter set forth in particular.

Also carried by journals 34 and 35 positioned on portions of the frame In is a shaft 36, having fixed thereon at one end a bevel gear 31 meshing with the previously described bevel gear 20, rotated by the shaft ll. Carried on and rotated by the shaft 36 are a series of mutilated gears 38. 39,

40 and 4|, eachadapted to drive awrapping gear assembly and loop forming plunger. for tyin together adjacent portions of the spiral springs S. As indicated in general in Fig. 11, each of the mutilated gears 38, 39, 49 and 4| has its mutilated portion arranged'in a diverse phase relation to each of the other mutilated gears. Arbitrarily assuming that the'mutilated portion of the gear 38 represents the zero index relative to any particular position or the shaft 36, the mutilated portion of the gear 39 will be positioned 40 degrees in advance of the gear 38,-the gear 40, 40 degrees in advance of the gear 39, and the gear 4|, 40 degrees in advance of the gear 40.

The portion of the gear 38 bearing teeth is indicated by the reference numeral 42, and the smooth or mutilated portion by the reference numeral 43. The toothed portion of the gear 42 cooperates with an intermediate gear on the wrapping mechanism, as will hereinafter be set forth in detail Similarly, the gear 39 is provided with a toothed portion 44 and a smooth portion 45, the gear 40 with atoothed portion 46 and a smooth portion 41, and the gear 4| with a toothed portion 48 and a smooth portion 49.

Each of the gears 38, 39, 40 and 4| is also respectively provided with a. transversely extending pin or actuating projection 50, 52 and'53, respec tively. Each of the gears 38, 39, and 4| also carries to rotate therewith cams 54, 55, 56 and 51.

The wrapping assembly lowering mechanism till Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the cams 22 and 32 which are mounted to rotate with the shafts I1 and 29, respectively, as previously described, are provided with low portions 58 and 59, respectively, and rai ed portions or rises 60 and 6|, respectively. The portion 60 of the cam 22 has cooperating therewith a follower or roller 62, which is carried by a transverse extension 63 of a lover or bar 64, pivoted to the frame ID as at 65. As shown in Fig. 2, the high portion 60 of the cam 22 has moved the lever 64 about its pivot 65 into extreme clockwise position. Inthis position, the wra ping' mechanisms, of which four are shown, for the top and bottom of the springs, are, therefore, vin operative position. In other words, the

wrapping mechanisms which cooperate with the upper portions of the spiral springs, have been have been raised. These wrapping mechanisms are indicated in general by the reference numerals 66, 61, 68 and 69.

It will be noted that the wrapping mechanism indicated by the reference numeral 66 is at the extreme right end of the machine, as shown in Fig. 2, and the wrapping mechanisms 61, 68 and 69 are each positioned to the left transversely across the machine. It will be understood, therefore, that each of these wrapping mechanisms is operated successively in definite phased relation to one another by the gears 38, 39, 40 and 4|, respectively. Obviously, prior to the operation of the gears 38, 39, 40 and 4|, these mechanisms must be lowered into operating position, and after operation these mechanisms are then raised to permit the forward movement of the spiral springs and the conveyor to bring another row of spiral springs into op-I a frame member, these frame members being indicated at 10, 1|, 12 and 13. Similar frame members are also provided for lifting the lower wrapping mechanisms which are indicated, in general, respectively, by the reference numerals 14, 15, 16 and 11. The frame members proper for each of the wrapping mechanisms for the lower portions of the springs are indicated by reference numerals 18, 19, and BI.

The lever 64, previously described, is provided at its upper and lower ends. with the slots 82 and 83. Elbow levers 84 and 85 are pivoted on the frame H1 at 86 and 81, and at their lower ends are provided with pins 88 and 89. The pin 88 fits into the slot 82, and the pin 89 fits into the slot v83, so that; clockwise movement of the lever 64 will move the lever 84 in a clockwise direction, and the lever 85 in a counterclockwise direction about their respective pivots 86 and 81. The branches of the levers 84 and 85 remote from the pins 88 and 89 are provided with slots 90 and 9|, respectively. The slots 90 and 9|- are adapted to cooperate with pins 92 and 93, carried at one end of actuating bars 94 and 95. It will thus be seen that clockwise movement of the lever 84 will lift the bar 94, and the counterclockwise movement of the lever 85, which takes place simultaneously, will lower the bar 95. Inasmuch as the carrying frames 10, 1|, 12 and 13 are carried on the bar 95, as hereinafter described in detail, and the frames 18, 19, 80 and 8| are carried on the 'bar 94, it is evident that downward movement of -the bar 95 will lower the entire wrapping assembly over the upper spring end coils, and upward movement of the bar '94 will raise the wrapping assembly for the lower spring end coils. In order to provide for uniform' action, the left hand end of the machine, as shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a lever 96 similar in function to the lever 64, and pivoted on the frame |0 at 91. Similarly, the lever 96 is provided with slots at each end, denoted respectively by the reference numerals 98 and 99. Elbow levers I00 and |0| are also provided. The lever I00 is pivoted at I02 on the frame I0, and the lever |0| is pivoted at I03 on the frame 10. The lever |00 is also provided with a pin I04, cooperating with the slot 98 and a slot at its other end I05 adapted to carry the pin I06, positioned on the left hand end of the bar 94. Similarly, the elbow lever |0| is provided with a pin I01, positioned in the slot 99 of the lever 96 at one of its ends, and a slot I08 adapted to carry the pin I09 on the left hand end of the bar 95.

The lever 96 is also provided with a transversely extending projecting portion ||0 having a roller or follower III at its outer end which is adapted to ride on the outer periphery of the cam 32. Inasmuch as the cam 32 is positioned on the shaft 29 which is driven at precisely the same speed as the shaft |1 through the intermediary of the bevel gears I9, 23, 21 and 28 and the shaft 24, as previously described, it is obvious that the left hand end of the bars 94 and 95 will have an upward and downward movement in a similar manner.

Referring to the cams 22 and 32, it will be noted that substantially more than one-half of the periphery is taken up by the high portions 60 and 6|, and less than one-half the periphery by the lower portions 58 and 59. The wrapping mechanism in general will, therefore, be in operative position during substantially more than onehalf the revolution of the shafts H and 29. When in operative position, the wrapping gears proper will be positioned about adjacent portions of s iral springs, and about the tying wires which are to be wrapped therearound. This will take place when the followers 62 and III cooperate with the high portions of the cams 22 and 32. When the followers 62 and III cooperate with the low portion of the cams, the lower bar 94 will be in lowered position relative to the conveyor, and the upper bar 95 in raised position, and in these positions, as will be hereinafter described, the wrapping mechanism will be out of the way of the conveyor and the spiral springs positioned thereon, thus permitting the movement of the conveyor to bring up new springs to be tied. I

In order to permit the movement of the wrapping mechanism about the portions of the spiral springs in the manner described, it is necessary that the frame members carrying the wrapping mechanism as, for example, the frame member '13, be carried on the bar 95 in such a manner that it may be raised and lowered and yet be capable of a rotative or twisting movement relative to the bar.

Referring to Fig. 3, the bar 95 is there shown in section. The bar is provided with a hollowed out bearing portion I I2, adapted to receive a ball H3. The ball in turn'is pierced to permit the entry and fixing therein of a rod II4, which is fastened to the frame 13 of the assembly mechanism proper. The frame 13 is also pivoted about the shaft 35 .in any suitable manner, this shaft 36 being the shaft which carries the mutilated gears 38, 39, 40 and M previously described. Still referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the gear there shown is indicated as the gear 4|, although it is obvious that any of the other gears and wrapping mechanisms are similar in character,

Referring to Fig. 2, wherein the ball H3 is indicated in dotted lines, it will be noted that the bar 95 is provided with a portion H5 which is adapted to be removed to permit the ball H3 to be placed within the bar 95. It will be noted further that the bar 95 is provided with additional removable portions H6, H1 and I I8 which may be removed to place ball member H0, I20 and I2I therein, the members H9, I20 and I2I, as will be understood, serving to support the fr mes 12, H and respectively, and to simult neously lower the same.

Referring once again to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the bar 94 similarly is provided with a hollowed journal portion I22 adapted to receive a ball I23, the ball I23 being pierced to permit the entry thereinto of a rod I24 which is fastened to the frame BI. The ball I23 is adaptedto be inserted in the bar 94 by removing the portion indicated at I25. It will be understood that a similar supporting means is provided for each of the frame members 80, 19 and 1B, removable portions of the bar being indicated respectively by the reference numerals I26, I21 and I28. The ball support for each of the frame members is indicated respectively by the reference numerals I29, I30 and I3I. This" type of support is necessary for the wrapping mechanisms 66, 61, 68, 59, 14. 15, 16 and 11, inasmuch as it is essential that the wrapping gear proper, to be hereinafter described. be raised and lowered without interfering with the springs, and while still permitting the driving of the wrapping gear proper by the mutilated gears 38, 35, 40 and 4|, previously described, this arrangement of parts doing away with the necessity of a complex clutch mechanism which would be necessary for the driving of the wrapping gears.

The wrapping mechanism Referring particularly to Figures 3 to 10 inclusive and Fig. 21, it will be noted that the mutilated gear 4| drives an intermediate gear I32 whenever the toothed section 48 of the mutilated gear meshes with the teeth I33 of the intermediate gear. The intermediate gear is carried on a suitable pivot I34 on the frame member 13, which, as previously described, is pivoted on the shaft 36 and is movable toward and from the springs S and conveyor by means of the bar 95. Also carried on the frame 13 is a wrapping gear proper I35, provided with teeth I36 about its entire periphery having a transverse bore I31 communicating with a relatively narrow slot I38, extending from the bar I31 peripherally outward. The wrapping gear I 35 is carried on the frame 13 by a. journal arrangement which leaves the central bore I31 clear, and also permits the opening of the central bore to the slot I38. In other words, the journal I39 in the frame 13 is open at its bottom end, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7.

It will be noted that the slot I38, as shown in the figures referred to, slants in the direction in which the frame 13 turns in moving downwardly. The slot is so arranged that the opening is sufficiently wide to engage the two adjacent portions of the springs S and permit these springs, together with the tie wire T to pass into the central bore I31. This permits of a relatively narrow gap in the teeth I36 about the periphery of the wrapping gear I35, and it is understood that the teeth of the intermediate gear and the teeth of the wrapping gear are so proportioned that the intermediate gear will drive the wrapping gear even past the relatively narrow gap created by the slot I38. If it becomes hecessary to widen the slot I38 in order to insure the passage of the wires into the bore I31, as would be the case where wires of larger diameter are being connected, preferably an additional intermediate driving gear is provided carried by the frame 13 and meshing with the teeth I36. An arrangement of this kind is shown in Fig. 27, wherein the gear I32 is shown meshing with a gear I40, suitably pivoted at I4I to the frame 13. The gear I40 in turn meshes with an additional gear I42, pivoted at I43 on the frame 13, and having teeth meshing with the teeth I36 of the wrapping gear I35. It will be understood that in this modification of the device, the slot I44 corresponds in general to the slot I38, but is provided with a widened outer portion. When this section of the wrapping gear is rotated to the point where there are no teeth to mesh with the intermediate gear I33, thereupon rotation will be continued by the driving action of the gear I42. Also carried on the shaft I 34 to rotate with the intermediate gear I32 is a disk I45, provided with a notch I46, adapted to cooperate with the nose of a positioning pawl I41. The pawl I41 is suitably pivoted on the bracket I10 hereinafter described. The nose of the pawl I41 is pressed into engagement with the periphery of the disk I45, as by a spring I49, carried on the frame of the machine at I50. The function of the disk I45 and the pawl I41 is to insure that whenever the mutilated gear 4| stops driving the intermediate gear, the intermediate gear I32 and the wrapping gear I35 will the next set of wires S and T into the slot I38.

As shown, in Fig. 5, the frame member 13 is provided at one end with a thickened portion II, which is adapted not only to extend downwardly to form the journal I39 .for supporting the wrapping gear I35, but is also provided with a bore I52 in which a suitable plunger I53 is slidably mounted. The bore I52 communicates with the outer surface of the frame member 13, as by a slot I54, shown in Figs. 3 and 6. Projecting through the slot I 54 is a pin I55, firmly fixed in the plunger I53. The outer end of the pin I 55 cooperates with a slot I56 in a lever I51, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6. The lever I51 is pivoted on the frame 13 by means of the pivot member I58. An

-ear I59 on the end of the lever I51 adjacent the slot I56 is adapted to receive one end of a spring I60 having its other end I6I suitably fastened to a stationary portion of the frame of the machine. Th'e purpose of the spring I60 is to constantly urge the lever I51 in a clockwise direc tion about the pivot I58 and support the plunger I53 in upward position. The end of the lever .151 remote from the slot I56, and indicated at move in a downward direction through the bore I52:

It will be noted that the winding gear I35 is I provided with a bore I63 which is radially opposed to the slot I38. When the plunger is driven downwardly therefore, during the'stationary positioning of the wrapping gear I35,'the plunger I53 will be driven through the bore I63 and into the slot I 38, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. '7. While being driven into its extreme downward position, the end of the plunger contacts the tie wire '1 and produces a loop therein, as indicated in Fig. 19. It will be noted that the bottom face of the plunger is rounded, as shown at I64 in Fig. 19. The purpose of thus rounding the bottom of the plunger is to insure its coaction with the tie wire T. It may be noted that the downward movement of the plunger I53 is limited by the length of the slot I54, the pin I55 coming in contact with the end of the slot 54, indicated by the reference numeral I65.

The frame 13 also carries on each side thereof, a pair of levers I66 and I61, as shown in Fig. 5. The levers I66 and I 61 are pivoted at I68 and IE9, respectively, on brackets I10 and HI, carried by the frame member 13. One end of each of the levers I66 and I61 has fixed thereon followers I12 and I13. The follower I12 i adapted to cooperate with the gripper cam 51,'previously described as rotatable with the mutilated gear 4|. The follower I13 cooperates with an entirely similar cam I14 on the opposite side of the mutilated gear 4|. The lever I66 is provided at the end remote from the follower I12 with a pair of pins I15 and I16 which are adapted to cooperate with the tails I11 and I18 of the jaw members I19 and I80. The jaw members I19 and I80 are pivoted on the frame 13 at I8I. Wound about the pivot I8I is a spring I82 which is adapt ed to normally maintain the jaws or clamping member properfwhich are indicated at I83 and I84 in an open position, as indicated inFig. 9.

The pins I15 and I16 when moved upwardly by movement of the lever I66 in a clockwise direction are adapted to push the tails I 11 and I18 of the jaw members together to close the jaws I83 and I84, as shown in Fig. 10 about the tie wire T. This clockwise movement ofthe lever I66 will take place when the cam 51 has rotated with the mutilated gear to bring the high portion I85 of the cam 51-into coaction with the follower I12. It will be noted that the high portion I85 is so arranged on the mutilated gear 4I that the high portioncomes in contact with the follower I12 before the plunger I53 i operated and before the toothed section 48 of the mutilated gear 4I-meshes with the teeth I33 on the intermediate gear to rotate the Wrapping gear I35. It is, therefore, apparent that the jaws I83 and I84 will be closed on the tie wire T before the i plunger I;53 forms the loop indicated at I86 in Fig. 19. It is desired to state that the jaws I 83 and I84 and cooperating parts are so proportioned that the wire T will be gripped with sufficient force to hold the Wire firmly while the loop I86 is being made, and nevertheless permit pulling of the wire through the jaws to furnish slack for making the loop.

=It is desired to further point out that when the tie wire T is fed into position between the two adjacent or approximate portions of the springs S that suflicient wire is fed through the first pair of jaws to allow the wire to be pulled in both directions to make the loop I86. In the alternative, it is desirable to have the jaws remote from the direction of wire feed on the first wrapping mechanism just described grip the wire more firmly than those close to the direction of tie wire feed, so that most of the wire will be pulled from the wire extending in the direction from which the wire is fed. It is to be understood that the lever I61 carries a pair of pins which function entirely similarly to the pins I15 and I16 carried by the lever I68. These'pins are indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, and are designated by the reference characters I81 and I88. Ii: is to be understood that jaw members are also provided on this side of the wrapping gear I35. The tails of these jaw members may also be seen in Fig. 5, and are indicated by reference numerals I89 and I90. Similarly, a spring for openins the jaw members is shown wound about a pivot I9I. The spring (is designated at I92. Obviously, the cam I14 will operate on the jaws I89 and I90 in precisely similar fashion to close the same'on the wire as the jaw members I83 and I84 are closed, as hereinbefore described.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that a lower wrapping assembly is provided for tying together the adjacent portions of the lower end coils of the spring S. The frame 8| here shown is capable of rotatable or twisting movement about the axis of the shaft I93, the shaft I93 being driven from a gear I94, mounted on the shaft 36 through a pair of intermediate gears I95 an'd I96, which cooperate with the gear I91 mounted on the shaft I93, as shown in Fig. 2. The mutilated gear I98, shown in Fig. 3, corresponds entirely insofar as its action is concerned, with the gear M, and it is to be understood that three other mutilated gears are provided on the shaft I93, which corresponds to the gears 40, 39 and 38, respectively, insofar as their periods of rotation and functioning are concerned. The gear I98 is provided with a toothed portion I99 which rotates the intermediate gear 200 when the toothed portion I99 meshes with the teeth additional pair of clamping jaws. 3 ing jaws may be seen in Fig. 2, and are indicated and a plunger 234.

20! on tne intermediate gear. The intermediate gear in turn drives a wrapping gear 202, which projects through a suitable slot 203 formed between adjacent plates 204 of the conveyor 33, as shown in Fig. 22. It will be noted from Fig. 3

that the mutilated gear I98 rotates in an oppo-" site direction to the gear 4|, and is provided with a pin or projection 205 which i adapted to cooperate with the portion 296 -of the lever 201. The lever 201 is pivoted on the frame member 8| at 208, and is provided with a slot 209 at the end opposite the portion 206, cooperating with a pin 2l0 carried by a plunger 2. It may be noted that the plunger 2 will move in an upward direction to form a loop in the lower wrapping wire T, which is diametrically opposed to th loop which is formed in the wire T. The lever 201 is moved in a counterclockwise direction by the Spring 2l'2, having one of its ends fastened to an ear 2l3 on the lever, and its other end fastened at 2|4 to a portion of the frame 8|.

The frame 8| also carries a bracket 2|5 which is adapted to rotatably support as indicated at 2l6. a lever 2l1, which has a similar function to the lever I66, the lever 2|1 being provided with a follower 2l8 at one of its ends, .adapted to cooperate with a cam 2l9-, rotated by the haft I93. The lever 2l1 also is provided with a pair of pins 220 and 22! which coact with the tails 222 and 223 of the clamping members 224 and 225. A spring 226 is carried by the pivot 221, and cooperates with the aforementioned tail portions 222and 223 of the clamping members in an entirely similar manner to the spring I82.

As shown in Fig. 3. the clamping members 224 and 225 also extend upwardly through the slot 203, and are adapted when closed by the pins 220 and 22! to clamp the wire T, this action taking place simultaneously with the clamping of the wire T. It will be understood that an additional cam similar to cam I9 is provided on the opposite side of the mutilated gear I98, and an These clampin general by the reference numeral 228. though only a single upper and lower wrapping gear, together with the cooperating clamping. plunger members, etc. have been thus far described, it will be understood, referring to Fig. 2,

that in the machine as shown, three additional wrapping assemblies are provided, each containing. all of the parts hereinbefore described in detail, and each adapted to operate 49 later in phase from left to right, as shown in Fig. 2 Thus the wrapping assembly 68 is provided with a wrapping gear 229 and a plunger, indicated in dotted lines at 230. the wrapping assembly 61 with a wrapping gear 23l and a plunger 232, and the wrapping assembly 66 with a wrapping gear 233 Similarly, the lower wrapping assembly 16 is provided with a wrapping gear 235 and a plunger 236, the wrapping assembly 15 with a wrapping gear 231 and a plunger 238, and the wrapping assembly 14 wltha wrapping gear 239 and a plunger 240. Although four top and bottom wrapping assemblies and gears are shown in the device described. it is understood that any number of wrapping assemblies having any suitable phase spacing may b employed.

Thus. if it is desired to provide a spring assembly having a width of eight coils, the machine may be widened and provided with eight wrapping assemblies for both the top and bottom of the spiral springs. These wrapping assemblies may then be spaced, for example, 20 apart, and if necessary a larger mutilated gear having a greater number of teeth employed to more quickly rotate the wrappinggear over a shorter arc of travel. In general, it may be stated that the wrapping assemblies need only be out of phase sufficiently to allow the loop .forming plungcrs to operate at time spaced intervals, since if all of the loop forming plungers were to operate at once, too great a length of wire would have to be pulled through the feeding mechanism to be hereinafter described, and the wire would break.

The wire feeding mechanism Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the gear l5, mounted on the main driving shaft ll, drives a gear 24! fixed to rotate with the stub shaft 242. The stub shaft 242 is mounted for rotation in the journal 243 at its rear end in such manner as to permit a slight pivotal or tilting movement for a purpose to be hereinafter described. It is to be understood, however, that the amplitude of movement of the shaft 242 will be insuflicicnt to interfere with the driving of the gear 24l from the gear 15. The forward end of the shaft 242 is slidably supported by a slide 244 mounted in the guides 245 and 246. 242 is provided with a strap member or stirrup 241 adjacent the slide 244.

As shown in Fig. 13, the stirrup 241 has suspended therefrom a pair of bolts 248 which connect the stirrup with a lever 249, pivoted at 250 in a pair of standards 25l. The rear end of the lever 249 carries loosely mounted thereon a roller 252. The roller 252 is adapted to be raised and lowered by an inclined surface 253 formed on the sliding member 254. When the member 254 is moved to the right, as shown in Fig. 12, the roller 252 is moved in an upward direction and the lever 249 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction about the pivot 250. This rotation of the lever 249 pulls the bolts 248 and stirrup 241 downwardly. The stirrup 241 in turn moves the forward end of the shaft 242 and the slide 244 downwardly against the action of the spring 255. The downward movement of the forward end of the shaft 242 just described moves the wire feed roll 256 downwardly against the wire feed roll 251. As shown in Fig. 13, the wire feed roll 256 is mounted on the end of the shaft 242 to rotate therewith. Similarly, the wire feed roll 251 is mounted to rotate with the shaft 258, rotatably supported in the journals 259 and 260. The shaft 258 is rotated by a gear 26l which meshes with the gear 24l, previously described. Thus, when the wire feed roll 256 is moved toward the wire feed roll 251, the wire T positioned between the rolls 256 and 251 will be fed to the left, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown in Fig. 13, the rolls 256 and 251 are provided with the usual grooved periphery to facilitate feeding.

A second pair of feed rolls 262 and 263 are provided for feeding the Wire T. The rolls 262 and 263 are fixed to rotate with the shafts 264 and 265, respectively, supported in a suitable manner, and driven from the gear 26! by the gears 266 and 261, as indicated in Fig. 12. The roll 262 is arranged to be lifted and lowered into operative relation to the wire T, similarly to the roll 253 by means of a pivoted lever 263 having a roller 269 rotatable thereon. The roll 269 is lifted by a cam surface 210 on the sliding member 211.

Referring to Fig. 12, it'will be noted that the sliding member 254 is supported by a guide 212,

The shaft and the sliding member 211 by a guide 213. Further, the sliding members 253 and 211 are connected by the arm 214 carrying the roller 215. The roller 215 rides on the periphery of the cam 215 rotatable with gear 21 driven by the gear 21 carried and rotated by the shaft 11. When the high portion 216 of the cam 215 cooperates with the roller 215, the roller is moved to the right, as shown in Fig. 12, and when the roller cooperates with the low portion 211 of the cam 215 the roller 215 is allowed to move to the left.

Referring to Fig. 14, it will be noted the conveyor plates 204 are each provided with opposed portions 218 which form guides for the lower wire T' when the wire is fed by the feeding mechanism past described.

The upper tie wire T is guided between the wrapping gears by the guides indicated in general at 219 in Fig. 6. The guides 219 extend downwardly from the pin or pivot 181, and are provided at their lower ends with a hook portion 280 which is sufificiently flexible to bend just the wire T during upward movement of the wrapping mechanism.

The wire cutting mechanism As shown in Fig. 16, the cam 281 is provided with a projection 288, adapted to cooperate with a roller 289, carried by the lever 290. The lever 290 is pivoted at 291 on a bracket 292 supported on a portion 293 of the frame of the machine. A spring 294 bears against the frame portion 293, and the lever 290. and tends to rotate the lever 290 in a clockwise direction. The knife 295 proper is provided with a pin 296, cooperating with a slot 291 formed in the lever 290. The knife 295 is guided in a groove 298 formed in the stationary portion 299, as shown in Fig. 1'7. Straps 300 and 301 are provided to retain the knife 295 within the groove 298. The knife 295 is provided with a pair of adapted to receive the wires T and T when the knife is inoperative, as shown in Fig. 16. As shown in Fig. 1'1 in the inoperative position, the knife opening 303 registers with an opening 304 in the stationary portion 299, and it is to be understood that the opening 302 similarly registers with another opening in the stationary portion. When the projection 288 operates on the roller 289, the knife is moved upwardly to shear the wires T and T.

The eye former dicated in general by the reference numeral 306, actuated by cam 301 having a hub 308 carried openings 302 and 303,,

and rotated by the continuously rotating shaft 24 previously described and best shown in Figure 1. A similar cam 309 mounted at the other end of the shaft 24 as by a hub 310 is also provided for a second eye former indicated in general at 31 1. i

It is desired to point out, however, that the second eye former 311 does not operate until after all of the looping and wrapping operations previously described have been made and after the wire has been cut as will be hereinafter set forth. However, the general operation of both of these eye formers is quite similar, and therefore only the eye former 306 will be described in detail.

Referring to'Fig. 15, it will be noted that a follower 312 cooperates with the cam 301 by means of a roller 313, carried by a pin 314 at one end of the follower. The follower 312 is provided with a rack 315 at the end remote from the pin 314. Intermediate the rack and pin, the follower is provided with a slot 316 adapted to receive and closely-conform to the shaft 36. Endwise motion of the follower on the shaft 36 is prevented by the collars 311 and 318, best shown in Fig. 1-.

The rack end of the followers 312 is supported by a bolt 319, projecting from the wrapping assembly frame 13 through a second slot 320 in the follower, as best shown in Fig. 18. The rack 315 meshes with a pinion 321, fixed on a shaft 322. The shaft 322 is carried in a journal .323 bolted to the end of a portion of the frame 13. The lower end of the shaft 322 is provided with a pair of pins 324 adapted to receive the Wire T.

It is evident from the foregoing that when the cam 301 moves the follower 312 to the right, as shown in Fig. 15, the rack 315 will turn the pinion 321 and the shaft 322. When the shaft 322 rotates, the pins 324 will bend the wire T back on itself to form the eye 305. It is further evident that the eye former 306 will move toward and from the conveyor with the wrapping gear assemblies and frame 13, as previously described, about the center of the shaft 36.

The eye former 31 1 will obviously be supported in a similar manner from the frame 10 and operated by the cam 309. However, this operation will take place'only after the wire has been cut.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that two additional eye formers 325 and 320 are provided which are adapted to form eyes in each end of the wire T. As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the ends of the lower formers extend upwardly about the wire T, through a slot 321 formed in the conveyor plates 204. It will be noted that the pins 328 project from the shaft 329 of the eye former 326.

In connection with these eye formers, it is desired to point out that the eye former 325 will be operative prior to the wrapping operations, and the eye former 326 after the wire has been cut.

The conveyor and drive therefor Referring to Figs. 3 and 14, a conveyor driving sprocket wheel 330 is shown having teeth 331 engaging the conveyor chain 332 to drive the same. The sprocket wheel 330 rotates with the shaft 333, rotatably supported from the frame 10 of the machine as by a standard or standards 334, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 14. The shaft 333 also carries a ratchet 335 which is adapted to rotate the shaft and sprocket wheel 330. A pawl 335 is slidably carried in guides 331 and 338 supported by the frame 10. The pawl 336 is provided with a nose 339 cooperating with the ratchet, and an upwardly extending car 340. As shown in Fig. 14, the pawl 336 is moved to the left by a spring 34I bearing against the guide 331 at one end and against a collar 342 at its other end. A cam 343 is mounted to rotate with a stub shaft 344, suitably supported by. and journaled in the frame I0. The cam 343 has formed thereon a projection 345 adapted to strike the ear 340 once each revolution to move the same to the right. The shaft 344 also has mounted thereon to rotate therewith a sprocket 346, driven by a chain 341, in turn driven by a second sprocket 348 on the shaft 24 (Fig. 1). Obviously, therefore, the conveyor chain 332 and conveyor 33 will be given a definite periodical movement once during each revolution of the main drive shaft II and the shaft 24.

As shown in Fig. '14, the conveyor chain 332 is also carried over the idler sprockets 349, 350 and 35I, rotatably mounted on the journals 352, 353 and 354, respectively. Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the conveyor is also provided with laterally'projecting rollers 355 and 356, guided in channels 357 and 358, respectively. The conveyor plates 204 extend transversely across the.

entire width of the machine and the engagement of the rollers 355 and 356 with the channels 357 and 358 results in a firm support for the springs S over the working area. As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the rollers are omitted at the edges of the plates 204, in order to allow the passage of the eye forming pins and the channel 351 is also cut away in part to permit passage of the knife 285.

The conveyor plates 204 are provided with I spring clips 359 and 360; the clips 359 being adapted to grasp and position one edge of the lower end coil of the spi al p gs S and the clips 360 being adapted to grasp an opposed edge of the bottom end coils. As shown in Figs. 1, 22 and 23, the plates 204 are also provided with cut away meeting edge portions forming the openings 203 for the passage of the lower wrapping gears and cooperating mechanism previously described. Also carried by the conveyor plates 204 are a number of brackets 36I, best shown in Fig. 25, for supporting the upper end coils of the spirals S. The brackets 36I consist of a standard 362, supporting an upper plate 363 having four divergent upwardly turned arms 364. The arms 364 are each formed with a grooved upper surface 365, adapted to conform in general to the wire of the spiral S. As shown particularly in Fig. 1, the surface 365 is slanted to extend in general parallelism with the upper end coil of the spirals As shown in Figs. 3 and 14, the springs after being joined by wrapping the wires T and T thereabout are discharged by the conveyor onto a table member 360 which is cutaway as indicated at 36! to permit the passage of the supporting brackets 36L Operation ously pointed out. the loop forming takes place successively and in definite phase relation transversely ol the machine, since if all of the loops were formed at once, so great an amount of wire riod corresponding to a 360 would have to be pulled through the mechanism that the wire-would break. Each of the successive wrapping mechanisms previously described, which twist the loops so formed about the adjacent portions of the spirals S, also operate successively, although if the loops were formed in a definite phase relation, the actual wrapping could take place simultaneously. Preferably, however, there is a definite phase relation, both with respect to the wrapping as well as with respect to the loop forming.

Referring to Fig. 19, which has been previously referred to, it will be noted that the tie wire T is provided with a loop I86 which has just been formed by the descent of the plunger I 53, shown in a retracted position. As previously described, the plunger is actuated by the cooperation of the pin I with suitable mechanism previously described. After the plunger has formed the loop I86, the wrapping gear. I35 which is shown in a partially rotated condition in the perspective Fig. 21, starts to twist the loop I86 about the two adjacent portions of the spiral springs S, which are indicated by the reference numerals 36B and 369. After a specific number of revolutions of the wrapping gear I35, the loop I86 ha been wound about the portions 368 and 369, as shown in Fig. 20, to firmly hold the upper end coils of the spiral springs together. is shown as provided with a finishing eye 305, which has been formed by the eye-forming mechanism previously referred to. It is to be understood-that in the proper sequence of operation, each of the successive rows of aligned spiral springs have both their upper and lower end coils Referring in particular to Fig. 24, there is dia grammatically shown a number of curves illustrating the operation of the various parts of the machine hereinbefore described taken over a perevolution of the main shaft or drive shaft H or some suitable multiple thereof. The first of these curves, desi-'- nated by the reference numeral 310, illustrates the period of conveyor movement. It will be noted that the conveyor is here shown as moving. for a period starting just after the main drive shaft has started to rotate for a distance equivalent to about 10, and that the conveyor movement continues over an arc of the main drive shaft extending to the first 45 of revolution. The period of movement of the conveyor is indi-- cated by the high portion 31! of the curve 370. It is to be understood that the parts of the machine are so proportioned that this period of movement of theconveyor 33 is sufiicient to move the conveyor a distance corresponding to the width of one conveyor plate 234, so that on each revolution of the main drive shaft, a new set of spiral springs is brought into alignment with the wire feeding mechanism previously described.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be noted that the conveyor driving gear 348 is shown fixed to rotate with the shaft 24 which is driven from the main drive shaft II through the pinion I4, the gear I6, shaft I1, and beveled gears I9 and 23. respectively.

Referring once again to Fig. 24, the curve 372 represents the operation of the wire feeder and, as shown, the wires T and T are fed, starting at approximately 120 after the beginning of a revolution of the main drive shaft, and continuing for approximately thereafter, this distance of feeding. being represented by the high portion In Fig, 20, the wire T 313 of the curve 312. As previously pointed out, the wire feeding mechanism is driven from the main shaft II by the driving .gear I5, which meshes with the gear 24I on the first of the wire feeder shafts 242. Due to this meshing of the gear wheels I and 24I, it is evident that all of I the rotating parts of the wire feeder are continuously driven from the main drive shaft II, these parts including the stub shafts 242, 258, 264 and 265. Under normal conditions, however, the wire feeding rolls 256.and 251 for the upper wire T and the rolls 262 and 263 for the lower wire T are kept apart by a suitable spring, as forexample the spring 255 shown in Fig. 13. When, however, the high portion 216 of the cam 2| which is rotated on the shaft I1 coacts with the roller 215, as shown in Fig. 12, the members 254 and 21I which are connected by the member 214 are moved to the right. This movement causes the cam surfaces 253 and 210 to lift the roller 252 and 269 to rotate the levers 249 and 268 in a counterclockwise direction. This movement of the levers will' move thefeeding rolls 256 and 262 downwardly to grip the wires T and T. The wires will, therefore, be fed for a distance corresponding to the high part of the cam 2I, this distance being indicated by the high portion 313 of the wire feeder curve 312 of Fig. 24, as previously set forth. It is to be understood thatthe period of time for wire feeding is sufficient to feed the wires T and T transversely across the conveyor and beyond the most remote wire wrapping as sembly indicated in general at 69.

Before the wire feeding unit has started to operate, however, the wrapping units indicated in general at 66, 61, 68 and 69 have all been lowered by the wrapping mechanism previously described. In other words, referring to the curve 314 of Fig. 24, it will be noted that the high part of the curve 315 extends from a point corresponding to approximately 110 to 360. It is thus evident that the upper wrapping units are lowered and the lower wrapping units raised over the greater part of the operative cycle hereinbefore described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the wrapping units are raised and lowered by the earns 22 and 32 which rotate the transverse arms 63 and H0 of the lifting and lowering levers 64 and 96, the cam 22 being directly positioned on the auxiliary drive shaft I1, and the cam 32 being driven from the shaft I1 and through the, intermediary of the bevel gears I9 and 23, the shaft 24, the bevel gears 21 and 28, and the shaft 29. As previously described, the levers 64 and 96 operate on the lifting and lowering bars 94 and- 95 which are linked to the frames supporting the wrapping gear assemblies.

Referring once again to Fig. 24, it will be, noted that the shaft 36- and the shaft I93 which rotates the wrapping gears proper rotates for approximately 180 of the cycle, as indicated by the.

curve 316 having the highportion 311 corresponding to the period of rotation of the;' wrapping unit shafts.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the shaft 36 is driven from the auxiliary drive shaft I1 by a mutilated bevel gear 20 which contains teeth around one-half of its periphery, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig.2. The shaft 36 which is initially driven by the bevel gear 31 is, herefore, only driven for a period corresponding to 180, and the shaft I93 which is driven from the shaft 35 by the gears I95, I96 and I91 is similarly stationary over 180 and is rotating for the other 180. Inasmuch as the shaft 36, as shown, for example, in Fig. 11, not only functions as the drive shaft for the wrapping gears proper, but also for the plunger operating mechanism and tne clamping mechanism which are actuating from the shaft 36 in definite phase relation, it is evident that the loop forming and wrapping Will take place successively to tie the various adjacent portions of the spiral springs together. Thus, the curve 318 represents the operation of the clamping jaws of the first clamping units 05 and H, previously described. It will be n'oted that the high portion 319 of the'curve 318 extends 101' approximately 105. In other words, the wire '1 is clamped by the clamping jaws of the first units 69 and 11 for a period corresponding to approximately 180 to 285 of the main drive shalt. Similarly, the first plungers I53 and 2i I are operative for a period corresponding to the high portion 380 of the curve 38I. As shown, the high portion 380 extends for a short distance starting just after the clamping action of the clamping jaws. After the loop has been formed by the action of the plungers, the wrapping gears proper are operated. The action of these wrapping gears, namely the gears I35 and 202, extends over approximately of the revolution of the main shaft. This wrapping action proper is indicated by the high portion 382 of the curve 383. I I

In summation, as previously pointed out, the wrapping shaft is rotated for the last 180 of the cycle. This is to enable the conveyor to be moved, the wrapping units lowered, and the wire fed, as indicated by the curves 310, 312 and 314. When the shaft, as for example the shaft 36, rotates, the first gear 4| which operates the first upper unit 69 first operates the clamping jaws I83 and I84 by means of the cam 51, then the plunger I53 is operated by the projection 53 coacting with the lever I51, and finally the toothed portion 48 of the mutilated gear 4I rotates the wrapping gear proper I35 through the medium of the intermediate gear I32.

It is to be understood that the lower wrapping gear 202, the plunger 2 and the clamping jaws 224 and 225 are similarly operated simultaneously with the upper wrapping gear, jaws and plunger. Further, the clamping jaws on the opposite side of the frame 13 are also clamped upon the wire and preferably in the first wrapping mechanisms with-great force than the clamping jaws I83 and I84. As pointed out, this latter phenomena is desirable in order to cause the plunger during loop formation to draw more wire from the fed side than from the end of the wire extending beyond the first wrapping mechanism 69.

Referring once again to Fig. 24, the curve 384 represents the operation of the clamping jaws of the second wrapping units 68 and 16. It will be noted that the jaws of the second units are in clamping position for approximately as indicated by the high portion 385 of the curve 364. It will be'iurther noted, however, that this action takes place approximately 20 later with respect to the rotation of the main drive shaft and the action of the clamping jaws for the first units 69 and 10. Naturally, 20 in the rotation of the main drive shaft will represent 40 in the rotation of the shaft 36, as previously pointed out. Similarly the high portion 386 of the curve 381 indicates the period of operation of the plungers 230 and 236 and the high portion 388 of the curve 389 represents the period of operation of the wrapping gears 229 and 235 forming part of the wrapping assemblies 68 and I6, respectively.

Referring to the operation of the third wrapping units 61 and 15, as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 24, it will be noted that the clamping jaws of the third units 51 and start to function at approximately after the clamping jaws for the units 68 and 16, as indicated by the high portion 390 of the curve Although arbitrarily 20 has been set as the phase difference between each unit, as is obvious from the foregoing discussion, it is desired to state that this maybe varied, and that the only desirable criteria is that the clamping jaws for the second unit, for example, do not function until the plunger of the first unit has operated to form the loop. Obviously, if all of the clamping jaws were operative before the first plungers made the first loops, the resistance to the plunger action-would be too great. 2

Referring once again, therefore, to'the third units, the curve 392 is shown having a high pore tion 393 illustrating the period of operation of the plungers 232 and 238. trates in its high portion 395 the period of rotation of-the wrapping gears 23! and 231.

Finally the operation of the fourth wrapping units 66 and 14 are illustrated in the curves 396, 391 and 398, having the high portions indicating periods of operating 399, 400 and L It is evident that all of these operations also take place at a 20 phase variation from the third units. After all of the loops and wraps have been made, as indicated, the wire is cut, as illustrated by the high portion 402 of the curve 403. It will be noted that this cutting action takes place after all of the loops have been formed, and it is evident that the cutting action can be performed as soon as all of the wire has been drawn from its source which is necessary to form all of the loops, although the end of the wire must be cut in time to permit the final operation, namely the final eye forming operation performed on the righthand of the wire as shown in Figure 2 before a new cycle of operation takes place. Refrring to the curve 403, it will be noted that the high portion 402 is positioned prior in the cycle to the high portion 404 of the curve 405. The high portion 404, it is to be noted represents the period of operation in the cycle of eye forming mechanisms 3 and 32B.

Referring further to the curve 405 which represents the eye forming operations, it will be noted that another high portion 406 is shown which represents the period of operation of the eye formers 306 and 325. It will be noted that this high portion is shown in a position in the cycle equivalent to just immediately subsequent the lowering of the wrapping units as indicated by the high portion 315 of the curve 314.

What I claim is:

1. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a pluralityof transversely aligned rows of springs in a'direction longitudinally of said machine, means to feed tie wires transversely of said machine between said rows, means to wrap portions of said tie wire about adjacent portions of said springs to join successive rows, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed means and wrapping means when said first driving means is inoperative.

2. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality of springs ar- The curve 394 iliusranged in transversely aligned rows, in a longitudinal direction relative to said machine, means to feed tie wires transversely of said machine between said rows, means to successively wrap a plurality of portions of said tie wires respectively about adjacent portions of said springs to join adjacent rows, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed means and successively drive said wrapping means when said first driving means is inoperative.

3. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality of transversely aligned rows of springs in a direction longitudinally of said machine, means to feed tie wires transversely of said machine between said rows,

means to wrap portions of said tie wires about adjacent portions of said springs to join successive rows, means to definitely position each of said spiral springs, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed and Wrapping means when said first driving means is inoperative.

4. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality of transversely aligned rows of springs in a direction longitudinally of said machine, means to feed tie wires transversel of said machine between said rows, means to wrap portions of said tie wire about adjacent portions of said springs to join successive rows, clamping means operative to clamp the tie wire in position prior to wrapping, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed means, wrapping means and clamping means when said first driving means is inoperative.

5. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality of transversely aligned rows of springs in a direction longitudi nally of said machine, means to feed tie wires transversely of said machine between said rows, means to wrap portions of said tie wire about adjacent portions of said springs to join successive rows, positioning means for the top and bot tom of each of said spiral springs, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed means and wrapping means when said first driving means is inoperative.

6. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality of transversely aligned rows of springs in a direction longitudinally of said machine, means to feed tie wires transversely of said machine between said rows, means to wrap portions of said tie wire about adjacent portions of said springs to join successive rows, positioning means for the top and bottom of each of said spiral springs, clamping means for said tie wires operative to grasp the wires just prior to wrapping, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed means, wrapping means and clamping means when said first driving means is inoperative.

7. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality of springs in a direction longitudinall of the machine, said springs being arranged in transversely aligned rows adjacent one another, means to feed tie wires transversely of said machine between said rows, means for positioning a wrapping mechanism about said tie wires and the adjacent portions of springs in each of said rows, means to rotate said wrapping mechanism to wrap portions of said tie wires about adjacent portions of said springs to join successive rows, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feeding means, said positioning means, andsaid means to rotate said wrapping mechanism when said first driving means is inoperative.

8. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality ofsprings in a direction longitudinally of said machine, said springs being arranged in transversely aligned rows, means to feed a tie wire transversely of said machine between the end coils of the upper portions of said springs between adjacent rows, means to lower a wrapping mechanism about the adjacent upper portions of said springs and said tie wire, means to rotate said wrapping mechanism to wrap said tie wire about adjacent upper portions of said springs to join the successive rows, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed means, said lowering means and said means to rotate said wrapping mechanism when said first driving means in inoperative.

9. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality of springs in a direction longitudinally of said machine, said springs being arranged in transversely aligned rows, means to feed a tie Wire transversely of said machine between the end coils of the lower portions of said springs between adjacent rows, means to lift a wrapping mechanism about the adjacent lower portions of said springs and said tie wire, means to rotate said wrapping mechanism to wrap said tie wire about the adjacent lower portions of said springs to join-the successive rows, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed means, said lifting means and said means to rotate said wrapping mechanism when said first driving means is inoperatiVe. i

10. In a spring assembling machine,.means to intermittently move a plurality of springs in a direction longitudinally of said machine, said springs being arranged in transversely arranged rows, means to feed a pair of tie wires transversely of said machine between the'upper and lower end coils of the springs in adjacent rows, means to lower a wrapping mechanism about the adjacent upper portions of said springs and one of said tie wires, means to lift a second wrapping mechanism about the lower adjacent portions of said springs and the other of said tiewires, and means to rotate the upper and lower wrapping mechanisms to wrap said tie wires about the adjacent upper and lower portions of said-springs to join the successive rows.

11. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality of springs in a direction longitudinally of said machine, said springs being arranged in transversely aligned rows, means to feed tie wires transversely of said machine between said rows, means 'to successive- 1y position wrapping means about adjacent portions of successive springs in two adjacent rows and the tie wires, means to rotate said wrapping means successively to successively join adjacent portions of said springs, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed means, said means to successively position wrapping means, and said means to rotate said wrapping means when said first driving means is inoperative.

12. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality of springs longitudinally of the machine, said' springs being arranged in transversely aligned rows, means to feed tie wires transversely of said machine between said rows, means to make a series of loops in said tie wires, means to wrap the loop portions of said tie wires about adjacent portions of said springs to join adjacent rows, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed means, said means to make loops and said means to wrap when said first driving means is inoperative.

, 13. In a spring assembling machine, means to intermittently move a plurality of springs longitudinally of said machine, said springs being arranged in aligned rows transversely of said machine, means to feed tie wires transversely of said machine between said rows, means to successively distort portions of said tie wire to form loops, means to successively wrap said loops about adjacent portions of said springs to join adjacent rows, means intermittently operative to drive said first means, and a second driving means to drive said feed means, said means to distort and said means to wrap when said first driving means is inoperative.

14. In a spring assembling machine for assembling a plurality of springs, means to feed a tie wire into position to join said springs, means to intermittently drivesaid feed means so that. said tie wire is stationary at intermittent intervals, a

plurality of means to make loops ina tie wire 7 adapted to be wrapped about portions of said springs, each of said means being adapted to operate upon. said tie wire in spaced phase relation relative to each of said other loop making means when said tie wire is stationary. 15. In a spring assembling machine, a tie wire wrapping member including means for receiving a,

wrapping loop, and means associated. with said wrapping member operative to make a wrapping loop in said tie wire and simultaneously position said loop in said means after receiving a wrapping oop.

16. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping member, means to rotate said member for wrapping a tie wire about adjacent portions of springs, said wrapping member including a slot positioned to receive a wrapping loop in said tie 'wire and an pening in said wrapping member through which a loop forming plunger is adapted to, project, said opening being so positioned in said wrapping member that upon operation of the plunger to form the loop said loop is placed in said slot.

17. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping gear provided with peripheral teeth and a slot in said gear adapted to receive the wrapping loop of a tie wire, a transverse bore for receiving adjacent portions of spiral springs and the wrapping wire, means to form a loop in said wrapping wire and position the loop in said slot, and a pinion cooperating with said teeth on'said wrapping gear to rotate the same and wrap the loop of said tie wire about the adjacent portions of said spiral springs.

18. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping rnember means to rotate said member for wrapping a tie wire about adjacent portions of springs positioned'on said machine, said wrapping member including a slot adapted to receive a wrapping loop in said tie wire and be positioned about said 5 adjacent portions of said springs, and an opening in said wrapping member through which a loop forming plunger is adapted to project, said opening being so positioned in said wrapping member that upon operation of the plunger toform the loop said loop is placed in said slot.

19. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping member, means to rotate said member for wrapping a tie wire about adjacent portions of springs positioned on said machine, said wrapping member including a slot positioned to receive a wrapping loop in said tie wire and an opening in said wrapping member, radially opposed relative to said slot, through which a loop forming plunger is adapted to project, so that upon operation of the plunger through said opening into said slot said loop is formed in said tie wire and placed in said slot.

20. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping member, means to rotate said member for wrapping a tie wire about adjacent portions of springs positioned on said machine, said wrapping member including a slot positioned to receive a wrapping loop in said tie wire and a radially opposed opening in said wrapping member through which a loop forming plunger is adapted to project, so that upon operation of the plunger through said opening into said slot said loop is formed in said tie wire and placed in said slot, and means to limit the movement of the plunger through said opening into said slot.

21. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping gear provided with peripheral teeth and a slot in said gear adapted to receive the wrapping loop of a tie wire, a transverse bore for receiving adjacent portions of springs and the wrapping wire, means to form a loop in said wrapping wire and position the loop in said slot, and a mutilated gear operatively connected with said teeth on said wrapping gear to periodically rotate the same and wrap the loop of said tie wire about the adjacent portions of said springs.

22. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping gear provided with peripheral teeth, a slot in said gear adapted to receive the wrapping loop of a tie wire, an opening in said wrapping gear through which a loop forming plunger is adapted to project, said plunger being positioned to operate on said tie wire, said opening being so positioned in said wrapping gear that upon operation of the plunger to form the loop said loop is placed in said slot, and a mutilated gear operatively connected with the teeth on said wrapping gear to periodically rotate the same and wrap the loop of said tie wire about the adjacent portions of said spiral springs, and means operated by said mutilated gear for moving the plunger through said opening and into said slot.

23. In an assembling machine, a wrapping member, means to drive said member intermittently, means to rotatably support said wrapping member, means to support said last mentioned means for movement about the axis of said driving means, and means to move said wrapping member about the axis of said driving means and into position to wrap a tie wire about adjacent portions of a plurality of members to be assembled.

24. In a spring assembling machine including means to position a plurality of springs with portions thereof adajacent one another, a wrapping member, means to drive said member intermittently, means to rotatably support said wrapping member, means to support said last mentioned means for movement about the axis of said driving means, and means to move said wrapping member about the aXis of said driving means and into position to wrap a tie wire about the adjacent portions of said springs to tie the same.

25. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping member provided with a bore for receiving adjacent portions of springs and a tie wire adapted to be wrapped about said portions to join the same, a wrapping frame supporting said wrapping member, an intermediate gear adapted to drive said wrapping member and supported by said frame, and a mutilated driving gear intermittently meshing with said intermediate gear for periodically rotating said intermediate gear and wrapping member.

26. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping member provided with a bore for receiving adjacent portions of springs and a tie wire adapted to be wrapped about said adjacent portions to join the same, a slot in said wrapping member adapted to receive a wrapping loop in said tie wire, an opening in said wrapping member through which a loop forming plunger is adapted to project, said opening being so positioned in said wrapping member that upon projection of said plunger through said opening the Wrapping loop is formed in said tie wire and placed in said slot, a wrapping frame supporting said wrapping member, an intermediate member adapted to drive said wrapping member and supported by said frame, a driving member adapted to periodically rotate said in termediate member and wrapping member, and means to operate said plunger prior to the rotation of said wrapping member.

27. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping member provided with a bore for receiving adjacent portions of springs, and a tie wire adapted to be wrapped about said adjacent portions to join the same, a slot in said wrapping member adapted to receive a wrapping loop in said tie wire, an opening in said wrapping member through which a loop forming plunger is adapted to project, said opening being so positioned in said wrapping member that upon projection of said plunger through said opening the wrapping loop is formed in said tie wire and placed in said slot, a wrapping frame supporting said wrapping member, an intermediate mem ber adapted to drive said wrapping member and supported by said frame, a driving member adapted to periodically rotate said intermediate member and wrapping member, and means on said driving member to operate said plunger prior to the rotation of said wrapping member.

28. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping member provided with a bore for receiving adjacent portions of springs and a tie wire adapted to be wrapped about said portions to join the same, a wrapping frame supporting said wrapping member, an intermediate member adapted to drive said wrapping member and supported by said frame, a driving member for periodically rotating said intermediate member and Wrapping member, and clamping members adapted to clamp said tie wire prior to the action of the loop forming close said clamping members.

29. In a spring assembling machine, a wrapping member provided with peripheral teeth and adapted to wrap a tie wire about adjacent portions of springs to join the same, a wrapping frame supporting said wrapping gear, an intermediate gear having teeth meshing with the teeth on said wrapping gear and supported by said frame, and a mutilated gear having teeth about a portion of its periphery meshing with the plunger, and means to" 

